Sarpanch, nine others accused of lynching Bihar woman

Patna,Dec 4 (IANS) Brothers of a woman who was lynched in a village in Bihar's Purnia district have filed an FIR in the case against 10 people, including sarpanch Mohammad Ahmad and four women, police said Tuesday.

Bibi Shahzadi was beaten to death in public Dec 2, following the panchayat's diktat, in Asyani village allegedly for having an extra-marital affair.

Shahzadi's father Mohammad Hashim informed police that his daughter was four months pregnant when she was mercilessly beaten at the panchayat that caused her death.

Hashim said that sarpanch (village head) Ahmad targetted Shahzadi as he wanted to take over her husband Mohammad Salim's house.

"Ahmad defamed Shahzadi when she resisted his attempts to grab the house," Azad said.

Shahzadi, in her early 30s, was a mother of three. She had formed a self-help group in the village and was working with poor women to help them earn a living, police said.

Purnia Superintendent of Police Amit Lodha told IANS that police raided several places to arrest the accused, who are as yet untraced and on the run.